KCSE subjects selection in secondary schools is a crucial consideration for student’s future careers. Why is it important to choose a subject? Because, the subjects you choose to be examined in the KCSE will play a significant role on the type of career you can pursue later in life. Subject selection must therefore be done carefully to ensure that you are selecting subjects that align to your future career goals.

KCSE Subject Selection PDF

[Download the PDF here]. Do you want to make KCSE subject selection hassle free? We have created a step by step guide to help you choose subjects in less than 30 minutes. To get the subject selection PDF [download it here].

KCSE Subject Codes

The following are the subject codes for all the KNEC examined subjects;

1. English (101)
2. Kiswahili (102)
3. Mathematics (Option A (121) and B (122), to choose one option
4. Biology (231)
5. Physics (232)
6. Chemistry (233)
7. Biology for the Blind (236)
8. General science (237), taken with mathematics option B (122)
9. History & Government (311)
10. Geography (312)
11. Christian Religious Ed (313)
12. Islamic Religious Ed (314)
13. Hindu Religious Ed (315)
14. Home Science (441)
15. Art & Design (442)
16. Agriculture (443)
17. Woodwork (444)
18. Metal work (445)
19. Building construction (446)
20. Power mechanics (447)
21. Electricity (448)
22. Drawing and design (449)
23. Aviation technology (450)
24. Computer studies (451)
25. French (501)
26. German (502)
27. Arabic (503)
28. Kenya sign language (504)
29. Music (511)
30. Business studies (565)

Compulsory Subjects in Kenyan Secondary Schools

The mandatory secondary school subjects in Kenya are three. These subjects are taken by all students. Good performance in the compulsory subjects is important for your future career goals. The following are the compulsory subjects in Kenyan high schools.

1. English (101)
2. Kiswahili (102)
3. Mathematics (Option A (121) and B (122), to choose one option

Kcse subjects selection in secondary schools in Form Two

Every year, in the second year of study, form two (2); students across the country go through an exciting process of choosing the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) subjects they wish to pursue in the next half of their secondary school life. Subject selection decisions made at this point are very critical as such, must be more focused than ever in their Kcse subjects selection in secondary schools process because their decision can have far reaching and life changing consequences.

Career guidance for high school students should be supported by teachers, parents and professionals to help learners make informed KCSE subjects selection in secondary schools. This support is crucial because, it is extremely a tough task for teenagers to make a commitment which will affect their ability to gain access to further or higher education and potentially their career choice in the next two years’ time; when many are not even yet sure what they want to study after school.

Learners need to be educated first on the importance of this task for them to realize the gravity of the potential consequences of the choices they are making; and then, to consider the strategy which will keep as many doors as possible open down the line after leaving school. Guiding students this way ensures subject selection in secondary is conducted appropriately by all the candidates.

KNEC- Kcse subjects selection in secondary schools Groups

Based on the Kenya secondary school curriculum, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), has classified secondary school subjects into five (5) major subject groups. The candidates are supposed to sit for at least seven (7) subjects in secondary schools in Kenya. The subject’s groupings with their KCSE subject codes are listed below;

Group 1 Subjects in KCSE

The group one (1) subjects evaluated are 3. These are compulsory subjects in Kenyan secondary schools. All candidates sitting for the KCSE test must take the following three subjects.

1. English (101)
2. Kiswahili (102)
3. Mathematics (Option A (121) and B (122), to choose one option

Group I consist of compulsory subjects and learners should purpose to score good grades in these subjects as they will influence majority of career options.

Group 2 Subjects in KCSE

The group two (II) subjects are the sciences. Candidates are required to select at least two subjects for examination in the KCSE. Students can choose two of the following group two subjects.

1. Biology (231)
2. Physics (232)
3. Chemistry (233)
4. Biology for the Blind (236)
5. General science (237), taken with mathematics option B (122)

For group II, learners are required to choose at least two subjects of Code Numbers 231, 232, 233,236 (Blind candidates) or 237 for option “B”

Group 3 Subjects in KCSE

Group three (III) are mainly the humanities. KCSE candidates are required to choose at least one subject from the following group 3 subjects.

1. History & Government (311)
2. Geography (312)
3. Christian Religious Ed (313)
4. Islamic Religious Ed (314)
5. Hindu Religious Ed (315)

For group III, learners are required to choose at least one subject code of 311,312 or any one among 313/314/315

Group 4 Subjects in KCSE

Group 4 (IV)subjects in KCSE are technical subjects. KCSE candidates are required to select one subject from the following group 4 subjects.

1. Home Science (441)
2. Art & Design (442)
3. Agriculture (443)
4. Woodwork (444)
5. Metal work (445)
6. Building construction (446)
7. Power mechanics (447)
8. Electricity (448)
9. Drawing and design (449)
10. Aviation technology (450)
11. Computer studies (451)

Group 5 Subjects in KCSE

Students can choose one of the following group 5 subjects in KCSE;

1. French (501)
2. German (502)
3. Arabic (503)
4. Kenya sign language (504)
5. Music (511)
6. Business studies (565)

Subjects Choices Requirements; Candidate must register for at least 7 subjects which must include: All the three (3) Group I subjects, at least two (2) subjects in Group II, at least one (1) subject in group III. One other subject selected from the remaining subjects in Group II, III and IV (Code Numbers 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450 and 451) or V (Code Numbers 501, 502, 503, 504, 511 and 565)

Candidates can sit for 9 subjects and the extra 1 or 2 subjects can be selected from the remaining subjects of groups II, III, IV and V.

How to choose KCSE subjects in relation to career?

For effective KCSE subjects selection in secondary schools, students should put more focus on their future career interests and not choosing KCSE subjects because of their simplicity or avoiding others like sciences because they are perceived to be “difficult”. Because there are no longer so-called designated subjects, learners may be tempted to choose subjects they envision will be comparatively easier than others, in order to gain the best possible KCSE mean grade, they want to achieve. This is risky because it limits one’s future career options and ultimate choices.

How do I choose the best subject?

To have Kcse subjects secondary in secondary schools the right way, you need to consider not only which subjects will ensure you get admission to further or higher education; but also which subjects will get you admission into your chosen career path. If you don’t know what you want to pursue, you need to make sure that, your subject choice positions you well to access a wide range of career options; for instance, the best subject combination would consist of physics.

Selecting physics as one of the Group II subjects will widen your future career choices. However, a good subject selection example would constitute all sciences; biology, chemistry and physics, since sciences will open wider career opportunities for you. Informed Kcse subjects selection in secondary schools ensures students can claim a well-rounded education upon completion of their schooling.

How to choose subjects in high school Kenya?

Due to the importance of Kcse subjects selection in secondary schools; if unsure of your future career options, it’s advisable for you to seek the help of your parents or guardians, or the help of career and student counselors from a respected higher education institution in order to help you carefully weigh up the various options, and the suitable combinations of subjects. The aim is to help learners choose those subjects that will leave them with a wide range of career options; while at the same time positioning them optimally to perform well in their last two years of school.

Choosing relatively easy subjects as part of the KCSE subjects might help a learner achieve good aggregate marks, but their career options will be limited if their education doesn’t incorporate core subjects that teach logic and argumentation, and scientific and reasoning skills as found in for instance subjects like math’s and physics among others.

Conclusion

Before making Kcse subjects selection in secondary schools, it’s extremely advisable for learners to make an effort to gain as much information about admission requirements for potential career paths, and then work back to ensure that the subjects selected will enable them to enter those fields. Our team endeavors to assist young people make the right KCSE subject’s choices through the provision of clear, concise, easy to use and up to date career information. If you want accurate career information resources to help learners make informed career and subject’s choices, get them here.